부산대학교 도서관

Sexual communication in primates is based on multiple elements of signals with di.erent roles in the signaling of female reproductive status. Whereas some primate signals are relatively well described, e.g. visual and auditory cues (sexual swellings and copulation calls), few studies have simultaneously investigated the role of visual, auditory, behavioral and olfactory cues in female ovulatory signaling. Here we provide, to our knowledge, the .rst data exploring multimodal sexual signaling of ovulation in a semi-free ranging troop of olive baboons (Papio anubis). We recorded changes in males and females sexual behaviors, copulation calls and male olfactory inspections of the swelling, along with variations in swelling size and color in relation to the fertile phase. We found that females displayed more sexual behaviors and copulation calls during the fertile phase and that swelling color did not advertise the timing of ovulation. Males tended to direct more ejaculatory mounts in the fertile phase and more olfactory inspections during the expected window of ovulation. These results suggest that all males can discriminate the fertile phase, using behavioral, auditory and visual (swelling size) signals, but that only consorting males may have access to information about the timing of ovulation through olfactory cues. The use of multiple ovulatory signals may allow males and females to establish di.erent mating strategies. Female may assure and confuse paternity simultaneously by displaying signals for which di.erent males (consorting and non-consorting) have differential access; whereas males may gain more information through multiple signals, decreasing the risk of errors in mating discrimination.